Yesterday, I shared the story of creating a parent volunteer program for introducing organized group games at my daughter’s preschool recess. The Games at Recess – Parents (GARP) program has been highly successful and Playworks asked me to share how we did it. Here are the six steps I took:
- Get school support. Approach the school administration/whoever is in charge of the playground about your idea. It’s best share the added benefits such a program can bring –not as a problem to be solved. Ask if parents need a background check or other security measures to be out on the playground with the kids.
- Pick appropriate games to lead and play. Peruse the Playworks games or other game lists available that seem appropriate for the preschool level. Two things to remember when creating a games list: 1) simpler is better and 2) non-competitive games are most appropriate for preschool age kids.
- Gather supplies needed to play the games you have selected. Most can be found at garage sales or thrift stores for cheap. Store equipment in a large plastic bin with a laminated copy of your games list.
- Develop a format for running games. For example:
- Arrive 10 minutes early to hang up a sign alerting the kids we are playing and set up the games.
- At recess, use using a special noise maker to invite students to play.
- Go around and learn everyone’s names and go over basic rules: good listening, respect others and have fun.
- Play the day’s chosen games, briefly describing the game and showing how to play. Switch to a different game while enthusiasm level is still high so kids are left with a positive experience and wanting more.
- Finish the games by having every student giving at least one other person and one of the parents a high five.
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Hold a parent orientation at your school to recruit volunteers, go over the format and play a few games.
- Post a sign-up sheet for volunteers. We 2-3 volunteers come out once a week. As the year went on, I tried to pair new volunteers with ones who had already done it a time or two.
Guest blogger Meloide Isgrois is a part-time Urgent Care physician, full-time Mom to daughter, Lila, and a great believer that one individual can make a difference.
